IAN POULTER became famous for wearing his own outrageous clothing. But the former club pro has become a Ryder Cup legend for his performances in the uniform of Team Europe.

In an amazing year of sport, Poulter’s passion play in dragging Jose Maria Olazabal’s team back from the brink of a crushing defeat in late September was remarkable.

Yet his five consecutive birdies merely laid the groundwork for golf’s Super Sunday as Europe staged their greatest ever comeback in the Miracle in Medinah.

From Rory McIlroy nearly missing his tee-off time to Martin Kaymer rolling in the winning putt, the European team dressed in Seve Ballesteros blue conjured a dramatically improbable victory in a fitting tribute to the great Spaniard. And this time Poulter was their inspiration.

The 36-year-old said: “It way surpassed anything I have ever seen happen on a golf course. As a sporting moment it was unbelievable drama. I have heard it from so many sports fans across the world.

“Even Americans have said it was the most amazing six hours of golf they have seen. It was drama from start to finish. It wasn’t supposed to happen but it happened. It is what dreams are made of.

“You can’t convey to anyone what it meant to be part of that team, what it meant to be with Jose for the words he said to us and what it meant to him.

“It was emotional. He broke down in the locker room. It meant everything to him. It is no secret he said it surpassed everything he has done in golf. For him to say that to everyone is pretty amazing. It was an amazing week. It touched so many people.”

Yet Europe were staring at their worst ever defeat when the USA raced into a 10-4 lead on the Saturday afternoon with two fourball matches left on the course.

Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia won one point back. And then, from two holes down, the fist-pumping, eye-bulging Poulter did not need world No.1 McIlroy as he led a one-man charge to win the final match.

He told BBC Radio Five Live: “When you are being followed by one of the greatest sportsmen ever in Michael Jordan and he is standing there shaking his head and pointing at you it is a surreal place to be.

“It is the most amazing place to be.

“Yes, it is pressure-packed and yes there is so much tension but it is the most amazing slow walk and the most amazing adrenalin rush you can ever get. It takes you to a place I didn’t know existed.

“To know it was the last putt of the day – and to know I had 11 team-mates, vice-captains and Olly standing with baited breath to see if I could hole that putt to give my team a lift. It was my duty to roll it in.

“I holed it and turned to my team. For them to respond in the way they did was truly inspirational. It will continue to inspire me.”

The Europeans chanted Poulter’s name as he entered the locker room and he said: “What it meant to everyone in the room will stay with me for a long time.”

Poulter, who finished second in the 2008 Open and has won two WGC events, added: “I am really proud of my achievements in the Ryder Cup. We don’t get paid and it comes straight from the heart.

“It is amazing when you are thrown into that situation and are prepared to lay down for your team-mates. It is rewarding to be one of those guys who give everything to their team-mates. I’ve got their backs and I would hope they’ve got mine.”